The only thing creationism accomplishes is destruction.
Every 10 years, the Texas Board of Education votes on how to change the state’s school curriculum. The Texas Board of Education is comprised of 15 elected members, and as you could have probably guessed, the vast majority of them are right-wing Christians. Among the many propositions that were voted on, one was the addition of creationism into Texas’s public school curriculum. Creationism is the literal belief in the account of creation given in the Book of Genesis. Creationism denies the theory of the evolution of species. The teaching of creationism in public schools is wrong on many levels.
Firstly, the “theory” of creationism is scientifically incorrect. Countless scientific errors can be drawn from Genesis (not to mention the bible in general), which can be understood due to the advancement of scientific discovery since the bible was created. Lets observe a few scientifically unsatisfactory concepts from Genesis. Genesis states that God created light 3 days before the sun and the stars. This is impossible because daylight is caused by the energy emissions from the sun (a star). The bible also states that earth was created before the stars. This is incorrect because earth is billions of years younger than many stars. While earth is scientifically concluded to be about 4.7 billion years old, astrologists have discovered light from many stars that have been analyzed to be up to 14 billion years old. The bible also states that the earth was created in 6 days and humans and animals in less than 1 day, whereas science concludes that the earth and all life has evolved over billions of years. Regardless of the innumerable additional scientific inconsistencies that can be found in Genesis, teaching creationism in schools is not only intellectually harmful, but it is also psychologically damaging.
By teaching developing minds to accept the literal interpretation of the bible, students will be damaged mentally and emotionally. First, students will learn to accept ideas despite the lack of any factual backing, which will handicap their intellectual ability. Many will get the idea that solely because many other people believe something, regardless of how fallacious it is, it must be true. Next, students will get the impression that if some parts of the bible should be literally interpreted, then why shouldn’t others be? The bible also states that homosexuals, fortunetellers, people who don’t listen to priests, people who hit their father, non-believers, followers of other religions, people who work on the Sabbath, and many more innocent people must be killed, so why shouldn't this also be taken literally? Also, the bible commands many acts of self-sacrifice necessary in order to go to heaven after death. By obeying the literal messages of the bible, it may force the individual to live life in a way that he or she does not want, in hopes to enjoy an unproven and unrealistic afterlife instead of enjoying reality in whichever way makes the person happy.
Despite all of the harmful effects of teaching creationism, these are not the underlying factors of why creationism should not be taught in public schools. Anyone who wishes to accept, teach, or learn about creationism should be able to -- if someone wants to be self-destructive, they should be able to do so as long as it does not impose physical harm onto anyone else. One should not have his or her money forcefully taken and given toward something that he or she does not want. Texas is proposing to use the money forcefully taken from all Texas residents and to use it toward teaching creationism, which is wrong as it forces a number of individuals to spend their money toward something against their wishes. As Thomas Jefferson agrees, the foundation of individual rights and the key to a successful nation is "the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."
7 comments:
While I agree with you that teaching only creationism in Texas schools is certainly wrong, I highly doubt that "students will be damaged mentally and emotionally."
Since when does an academic theory (which has been taught for thousands of years until very recently, might I add) emotionally and mentally damage minds?The theory may be inaccurate and based in religion, however the fact of the matter is that today's students rarely accept what they learn in school to be true, and most often decide for themselves their views on Creationism/Darwinism.
Again, I agree with your main argument, but don't go and say that it will "emotionally and mentally damage students," because you lose your credibility by saying obnoxious things like that.
I agree with Ariel. Haha...it is very clear from this post and from your other posts that you are not a fan (to put it lightly) of religion in general, and I might even go so far as to say that you especially target Christianity/Catholicism for your examples.
It is fine to have your opinions obviously, however in this sort of discussion that you have presented in your article you need to watch the sensationalism and exaggeration that puts you on par with the extremists of the religion.
I definitely agree that only teaching creationism in schools is not right, however, you failed to mention whether this would be the case (and I'm sure it isn't) or not. Public Schools should and will most likely present the information not as correct but as an alternative view. I attended a Catholic School for 8 years and was presented with the stories of the Bible and the Scientific perspective simultaneously. And I'm pretty sure I'm not damaged mentally or emotionally by the information. As with any knowledge or information, kids are also free to learn, grow, accept or challenge the information. I made the decision to accept the scientific evidence and alter my view of the creation of this world as I grew. I still hold on to my faith and it's core beliefs.
Which bring me back to the point, that if you want to present the creationism/scientific argument, stick to the argument. Don't go about making generalized statements about religion's destructive nature. Obviously that's the opposite of how most people feel. Of course there are people who take things to the extreme, but there are few who are ready to take every aspect of the Bible literally anymore. And many people like myself, are very much against using the Bible in a harmful way.
The kids of this world have a lot more to worry about than who actually created the universe.
I agree with Tiffany that this post would be better directed if it didn't criticize religion in general. Religion is a very positive thing in many people's lives.
That being said, I do agree that the addition of creationism into a public school cirriculum oversteps the separation between chuch and state. Public education is exactly that...public. It is provided by the state for the public. It should consist of unbiased information and should not be subjected to religious ideology. It is one thing to be taught creationism in a private school. It is a completely different thing to be taught creationism in a school that is publically funded.
I agree with Tiffany that this post would be better directed if it didn't criticize religion in general. Religion is a very positive thing in many people's lives.
That being said, I do agree that the addition of creationism into a public school cirriculum oversteps the separation between chuch and state. Public education is exactly that...public. It is provided by the state for the public. It should consist of unbiased information and should not be subjected to religious ideology. It is one thing to be taught creationism in a private school. It is a completely different thing to be taught creationism in a school that is publically funded.
Wow, you sure know how to push people's buttons. My comment was too long for the character limit so I made a post on my own blog about my thoughts on this issue: http://vagrantphilosopher.blogspot.com/2010/05/ol-creationismevolution-debate-not-as.html
I have to agree with everyone else that it is very clear from your post that you and religion do not go together. I must agree with Ariel that it is not right to teach only creationism. If one side of the story is going to be taught, then I believe it is necessary for the entire story to be taught to students.
Creationism is NOT a Theory. It has no place in the science just like Alchemy has no place in Chemistry class and Astrology in an Astronomy class!
Yes, religion itself is to blame. For having faith is believing without evidence. Science is based on evidence! GTFO
Follow me @FairyTaleSlayer
Post a Comment